Yes, I am finally learning more about this VA system we are trying to launch into. Today I finally called the Billing Information number and found out why we've not been receiving any bills from all the office visits both for the mental health and the primary care. There is good news here! Jeff is in a priority catagory that allows him to receive services both for out patient and in patient services free of charge. What a relief! We thought we were going to be hit with some incredible bill with the numerous office visits we are making. It is wonderful to have that cloud removed from over our heads.
I also have placed a call to the clinic and am waiting for them to call back with hopes of hearing something concerning scheduling further treatment as it has been 2 weeks tomorrow since we last were seen by the Nurse Practitioner. It took learning how to work through the VA system phone numbers and extensions to actually raise someone in person in the clinic.
Another positive is that the Family Ed group really met yesterday with mothers', a father and spouses' of soldiers effected by PTSD ranging from Viet Nam to Korea and Iraq service. I think the major thing I took away from this first class is that Viet Nam vets have coped with their PTSD for decades but when their health fails, or life changes such as a death of a spouse, retirement or, in our case, the end of a ministry shakes their world they are robbed of their coping skills. I was assured, however, that there is hope through treatment for these dear soldiers. Next week we are going to learn about the treatments being used to help the victims of PTSD.
